Lectio Divina: Sacred Scripture and Mental Prayer
Lectio Divina means “Divine Reading...
Born in Germany in the 11th century, his parents were from a prominent family in Cologne.
As a young man, he studied in Reems, France for a while and then returned home to dedicate his life to The Lord, becoming a priest in 1055.
One year later he was asked by the Bishop to return to Reems where he was directed to lead a school which did, so for the next 18 years. And, his students flourished, one of them becoming Pope Urban II.
In his mid-40s, Bruno was appointed Chancellor of the Archdiocese and became a significant supporter of Gregory II, and his fight against clerical abuse.
For his efforts to remove a corrupt Bishop, his house was nearly destroyed.
Bruno longed for a contemplative life and sought a journey in solitude and prayer. Ultimately he was given land in eastern France where he started a new community: The Carthusians.
They dedicated themselves to prayer, silence, and manuscripts but Bruno was called to Rome to help support the Pope.
After that he was offered a position as Bishop, which he refused, he, instead, started another new order in Calabria, Italy, and died on this day in 1101.
St. Bruno, please pray for us.
